Andy JonesIn the modern hair world, the best medium-length hair ideas can seem so vast that they begin to feel somewhat overwhelming. From lengthy hair extensions to long bobs or short bob haircuts, not to mention undercut hairstyle for women, the options seem endless. If you are stuck between which hairstyle to choose, we have curated a list of the 49 best medium-length hair ideas to inspire your next salon trip. Although a majority of women you know most likely flaunt a medium-length haircut, there are hundreds of flattering styles to try that are customizable to your stage in life. Whether you are into the 90’s vibe or following trends from top celebrities and influencers, medium-length hair is perfect for every texture and stage of hair. With many movie stars and singers taking to medium-length locks, it’s no wonder stylists are getting more medium-length hair requests than ever.
49 Medium-Length Hairstyles to Spice Up Your Locks
While most stylists urge clients to pick the correct haircut for their face shape, these medium-length hair ideas are the perfect style for just about every shape, size, texture, and age. However, a few inches shorter here or longer there can take a medium-length haircut from a bob haircut to longer looking locks. Most people are shy when it comes to drastic changes like a chopped pixie cut or waist-long extensions, making it feel scary to take the next step in your hair game. Although medium-length hair is by far the safest option, it is not to be confused with a dull option. It is one of the most versatile lengths for clients and is a comfortable way to get experimental with your hair. Not only does medium-length hair leave room for creative texturing and dimensional colors, but it allows you to switch from loose, beachy waves to a trendy updo with minimal effort. Whether you are looking for new medium-length hair ideas or to simply revive your current medium-length hair, keep reading for popular and chic hairdos.
1. Voluminous Icy-Black Hair with Wand Curls
If you are wanting to stay on the longer side of medium-length hair, experimenting with contrasting colors and big, textured curls is a stylish technique. This bouncy look is an excellent medium-length hairstyle idea for the gal who isn’t afraid to use a wand and texturizing spray to help it hold its bounce all day.
2. Relaxed Mid-Length Cut with Bangs and Highlights
This look is very Parisian with a hint of edgy chic. The soft, subtle feathering at the ends of the cut draws attention towards the playful yet relaxed bangs. A trendy and sleek option is to pair this look with a top knot bun and loose bangs for a look fitting for the office or a night on the town.
3. Brunette Best Medium-Length Hair Ideas
If there’s one style that is here to stay, it’s the loose wavy style with slightly chopped ends. To take this style up a notch, as your stylist for a subtle angle in front, which will elongate the appearance of your posture. Perhaps one of the most notable benefits of this cut is the option to pump up the volume towards the crown.
4. Half Updo with a Middle Part on Shoulder Length Hair
If you are tired of wearing your hair down, this is the best medium-length hairstyle idea. It’s time to channel your inner sixties girl, with a voluminous half updo with the volume all the way to the ends of your hair. Although this look is simple to achieve with a few clips or bobby pins, it is sure to turn some heads.
5. One of the Best Medium-Length Hair Ideas with Wavy and Messy Half-Bun
If you want a popular look without the fuss, this low maintenance half-bun is perfect for longer medium-length hair ideas. This option is ideal for day two or three of unwashed hair or yesterday’s leftover curls. Bonus points will be awarded for soft tousles of hair around the face!
6. Bright Red and Orange Ombre on Wavy Mid-Length Hair
One of the best medium-length hair ideas is to create extra dimension and length by incorporating a drastic ombre with lots of layers, texture, and movement. The high definition color adds drama from top to bottom, creating flowy and elongated locks. If you don’t mind the maintenance of bright hair dye, this is a way to add some life to your hair.
7. Shoulder Blonde and Brown Bob with Defined Curls
This ashy color contrast is “to dye” for! When playing with diverse hair colors, the best way to showcase the depth and contrast is through, you guessed it, dramatic curls! These curls are easily achieved with a medium barrel curling iron or wand. For a longer, more relaxed effect, simply brushing through the curls helps achieve a smoother curl.
8. Violet and Fuscia Wavy Bob with Balayage
Like we said earlier, medium-length hair ideas don’t have to be boring! Turn up the sass and heat with a bright pink color palette paired with a rich violet. While it would look gorgeous straight, you can amp it up with downplayed waves with relaxed roots. This look is fire!
9. One of the Best Medium-Length Hair Ideas for Weddings and Formals
One of the best parts of medium-length hair ideas is the ability to create a loose, messy look that still maintains its structure throughout the day. While hair that is too short can create spiky fly-aways and hair that is too long can cause flat hair, medium-length cuts give both flexibility and versatility to every updo.
10. Downdo Wedding Waves with Dainty Hair Accessories
While it seems too simple to make a difference, adding dainty and elegant accessories to wavy styles can drastically change medium hair from ordinary to extraordinary. By adding shiny jewels and chains to loose curls, you are creating a work of art that will make the back of your head look ridiculous, in a good way!
11. Sweetheart Braids for Shoulder-Length Lobs
Goddess braids are some of the most multifaceted shapes you can incorporate into just about any medium-length haircut. It is fun and easy to create braids that accentuate your facial structure and are nifty for adding a hint of youthful elegance to any look. This snapped photo utilizes a harmonious play between double braids and a soft hint of rose gold hair color to shoulder-length hair.
12. Bouncy Waves with a Tint of Pink
Who says color has to start at the roots? This medium-length hairstyle idea puts a casual twist on feminine and flirty. If you have thicker, more coarse hair, breaking up the texture with lots of layers and strokes of color at the ends can help the hair appear softer and flower. Orange nails will elevate the look in a fun and unique way.
13. Mid-Length Brunette Waves with a Glossy Shine
This gorgeous dark brown hair shade is a blend of edgy meets elegant. Adding a high gloss to your next salon visit will help you achieve a healthy, glowing hairstyle. You can also incorporate some movement into the hair by using a curling wand at the lower strands of hair while still maintaining volume at the roots.
14. Sleek and Shiny Curled Under Ends
If you are running low on medium-length hair ideas but don’t want to get anything too drastic, a straightened style with the ends curled over is an exemplary look that will elevate your style. Lightening up the ends by just one shade is a simple but impactful change you won’t regret.
15. Platinum Blonde Straight Bob Cut with Straight Ends
The long bob with choppy ends is a classy and chic style that will likely never go out of style. Pairing these types of medium-length hair ideas with platinum blonde hair automatically makes your hair look more expensive and cared for. While you may not be high maintenance, you can fool your spectators to think otherwise.
16. Wavy Angled Bob with Grey Peekaboo Highlights
If you are a risk-taker who loves a good bob, try this elongated frontal bob with a hint of messy waves towards the ends. If you are insecure about going grey, this blend of color adds some sass and confidence to your greying stage. Gently ease yourself into this transition by asking for platinum highlights around your face to help you get used to the idea.
17. Medium-Lenth Blue and Purple Hair with Loose Curls
Who says mermaid hair can only be down to your waist? It’s time to channel your inner fairy goddess with a ray of bright colors. If you want to add a fun surprise, ask your stylist to incorporate some “peek-a-boo” neon highlights at the very bottom of your hair. With this hairstyle, every ponytail is a party!
18. Brunette Hair with Caramel Highlights and Relaxed Waves
Nothing screams fall and pumpkin spice like a nice, warm caramel hair color highlight. Weaving highlights in and out of the textures helps create a thicker and fuller illusion. The more dimension you can add to your color, the more vibrant your medium-length cut will appear.
19. Soft Layers and Choppy Ends with Mid-Length Hair
One of the hottest medium hairstyle trends right now is to off-balance smooth waves with choppy ends. This style flaunts a tighter wave that can be created with a smaller barrel or simply using thinner strands of hair when curling. As long as you maintain trims every other month or so, this medium cut will look healthy and vibrant year-round!
20. Messy and Tousled Blonde for Thinner Textured Hair
If you are going for a more relaxed style, tapered ends are the answer. The best part of medium-length hair is that you can change up your layers every trip to the salon. If you decide lighter ends are not for you, you can always thicken up the cut by asking for a choppier effect at the ends.
21. Shaved and Faded Side with Black and Red Color
This is one of the best wedding hairstyles for short hair. For the brave souls who are not afraid to take an asymmetrical risk, a faded and shaved look angled to one side is a fun way to express yourself. The best part of this medium-length hairstyle idea is the ability to customize this short hairstyles for fine hair look with different color contrasts and shave designs. If you love to wear your hair in buns or ponytails, the options are endless and will look super cute with any outfit you wear.
22. Long Layered Hair with Spacious Waves
For those who desire a longer length for medium hair but feel easily bored with their style, opting for a vibrant color and layered hair automatically appeases the fickle mind. Tones like a bright auburn in the picture do tend to fade quickly, so it is easy to swap colors on your salon visits.
23. Ombre and Balayage with Long Layers
One of the longer-lasting trends is an ombre and balayage mixture of highlights. Blending hand-painted balayage is the perfect way to break up the edgy look of straight ombre. Asking for long layers is also a great way to achieve a longer length hairstyle.
24. Light Blonde Highlights with Dark Brunette Mid-Length Hair
Bring your uniform color to life with bright pops of blonde. When paired with lots of loose waves, you are ready for anything the day might bring. The model in the picture has chunkier highlights towards her face and transitions to lower and more blended highlights in the back.
25. Longer Medium Black Hair with Long Layers
Let’s face it, the longer styles of medium-length hair can get dull very quickly and lose volume within an hour of styling. If this is your struggle, ask for long layers around your face and collar bone. Adding long layers helps alleviate the weight of longer hair and creates more movement. If you do not have highlights, the last thing you want is for your hair to appear flat and dull.
26. Icy Blonde Highlights with Brunette and Bangs
This is one of the more fun medium-length hair ideas on the list. Who doesn’t love to play around with a good set of bangs and fresh highlights? If you are feeling extra bold, you can opt for a heavier side of highlights on one side of your head, while only lightly highlighting the opposite side.
27. Wavy Blonde Balayage with Choppy Ends
Hollywood is calling your name with this stunning look that’s giving us all the beach vibes. This sandy blonde color with a pop of honey screams sunshine and chill and will have you feeling perkier and on point in no time. Finish it off with a piece wave and you’re ready for Cali!
28. Medium-Length Shag for Fine Hair
People with finer hair tend to struggle with keeping the right amount of movement in their hair, but this style ensures that your hair will always go with the flow! The textured ends and light shag add just the right amount of drama to any medium-length haircut.
29. Smooth and Sleek Chocolate Color with Caramel Ends
If you are nervous to go too drastic but want to spice up your medium-length hair ideas, a heavy balayage with a color that is just a few shades lighter than your regular hair color is the perfect solution. A middle part with sleek bangs creates an interesting allusion that helps balance out the color.
30. Black and Brown Color with Sleek Bangs
One of the most classic bangs to date is the long swoop. This type of bang adds elegance and dimension to longer medium-length hair. Make sure there is a proportionate distance between the tip of your bangs and the bottom of your hair.
31. Medium Auburn with Feathered Long Layers
If you frequently wear your hair down and love to use classic foam rollers for lots of body and volume, this is the perfect medium-length haircut for you! Pair the feathered layers with some soft babylights and you have a 90’s inspired do that will have you feeling like Rachel from “Friends.”
32. Choppy Tomboy Waves with Lavender Highlights
Use a wand and leave lots of room at the end to create a soft but structured modern wave. If you are hesitant to go too color crazy, try adding a few strands of a sweet lavender or pink to bring out your inner galaxy girl.
33. Long Bob with Chunky Highlights
This picture features the beloved elongated lob with razored ends. Play with the texture by adding bright highlights around the face with a vibrant balayage towards the back. If you have side bangs, this haircut is an efficient way to grow them out if it is a cut you choose for the long term future.
34. Honey Highlights on Straight Medium Hair
Opting for a more natural look isn’t always easy when it comes to highlights. In this case, a honey blond highlight that goes all the way to the root creates a stunning and smooth blend to shoulder length medium hair. To get this cut, ask your stylist to trim your ends from the back rather than bringing the strands to the front and trimming them.
35. Caramel Balayage with Subtle Waves
Do you want to sport a downplayed look but still feel pretty? Perhaps you are in a hurry to get ready but still need some movement. Simply use a straightener or curling iron to curl the front strands only and let your gorgeous highlights shine solo in the back.
36. One Length Medium Auburn Hair
This medium-length cut is perfect for a low maintenance system that only needs trimming and occasional deep conditioning treatment. For extra shine and vibrance, ask for a gloss treatment to go over your usual color. This cut is wonderful for all types of hair and is easy to pull back when working out or rolling up your sleeves and getting to work.
37. Soft Blond Highlights on Mid-Length Hair
Take your youth back with this stunning longer style. The mermaid look is flattering on every hair type and is easily achieved with long layers and larger curls. Simply grab larger strands of hair in your curling iron and leave an inch or two at the bottom. It is also helpful to curl away from the face, creating an elongated flowy display.
38. Blonde Beach Waves with Platinum Highlights
Take your hair to the next level with this jaw-dropping ash blonde hair color and mid-length cut. If you want to add some elegance to the back of the cut, ask for a v-shaped angle at the bottom as opposed to a straight across choppy cut.
39. Light Brown Hair with Soft Waves
This color and cut look like it came straight off a hair color box. The smooth and flowy waves and perfectly complement a healthy and shiny haircut. If you want more dimension to this simple look, ask for light layers near your face.
40. Ash-Blonde Piecey Curls with Heavy Layers
These medium-length hair ideas are stunning with beautiful highlights and tons of layers. The best way to get the most out of your layers is to sport larger more piecey curls and ever so gently tousle them with your fingers. Avoid brushing too much so as not to blend the curls together.
41. Messy Blonde and Auburn Shoulder Length Shag
This style is perfect for the relaxed gal who loves a good layer and soft color. Cuts like this are perfect for wearing down with loungewear and add sultry sexiness to more formal occasions. Grab some texturizing spray and ever so lightly curl random pieces of hair and quickly shake them out for a soft and tousled appearance.
42. Wavy Brunette Hair with Babylights
Sophistication and class exude from this medium-length hairstyle idea. The soft waves at the bottom of the cut create a fun but relaxed hairstyle that can easily be dressed up or down. We love that this rich, brunette color is complemented with soft and subtle balayage highlights at the ends. Less is more with this style!
43. Medium Length Brunette Hair with Caramel Highlights
An elegant haircut never fails and this medium-length hairstyle idea is one that many celebrities opt for both off and on-screen. Bold, voluminous curls are evenly distributed throughout the style to create a soft and sultry mane. You can ask for highlights only on the top layers so that the darker bottom layers create depth and mystery everyone will be dying to see more of.
44. Short and Choppy Long Bob with Dark Roots
Get your sass on with this layered and textured short blonde hair cut. Darker roots give an edgy appeal with the jagged ends and lots of feathered layers. This cut is a perfect blend of shag, blunt cut, and feathered layers that create a bad girl look. You can incorporate some contrasting highlights for the extra added dimension.
45. Icy Blonde Mid-Length Hair with Half Bun Updo
A gorgeous technique when playing with trendy hair colors is to downplay the cut in order to fully showcase the show-stopping shades. In this case, an icy blonde all-over color with smudged dark roots illuminates silky smooth medium-length hair. Whether you are going for a trendy look or simply wanting to embrace going grey, we suggest giving this hair trend a try.
46. Shaggy and Messy Feathered Layers on Medium-Length Hair
A well-done shag makes all the difference in a medium-length haircut. If the cut is too shaggy or feathered, you risk difficulty getting it to appear relaxed and not too 1970s. Bending the hair with a straightener or curling wand creates more opportunities for the bottom shag to do its thing.
47. Medium-Length Natural Curls on Brunette Hair
A common misconception about having naturally wavy or curly hair is that it can be difficult to style, especially in medium-length haircuts. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! With a quality hair product designed to reduce frizz and enhance curls and waves, this haircut is perfectly achievable for the curly girl who wants a flirty style.
48. Hollywood Waves on Golden Blonde Hair
Who doesn’t love a classic Hollywood look? This cut is giving us all the glamorous vibes and is super easy to replicate. While the shades are in the same family, you can add some modern trend to this look by asking for lighter ends and smudged roots. You’ll be feeling like a movie star goddess in no time!
49. Messy Wand Curls on Shoulder Length Hair
Do you love a strong curl but don’t want to look like Shirley Temple? A medium-length cut is perfect for this concept because the added length helps weigh down the curls. The key to this style is to only uniformly curl a small percentage of strands while quickly curling and tousling the other strands for a messy but flirty medium-length hairstyle.
50. Big Curls on Shorter Medium Hair
This is perhaps the more dramatic medium-length hair ideas, but we are here for it! The shoulder-length cut and bouncy curled layers are everything you need to look like a million bucks. Whether you are a busy mom on the go or a career woman, this haircut demands respect and attention. We hope you’re ready for it!
Hop on the Trend with 49 Medium-Length Hair Ideas
Whether you are gradually attempting to grow out your short hair or simply looking for a fresh new way to liven up your everyday hair routine, this list of medium-length hair ideas is perfect for women in every season of life. The benefits of medium-length haircuts are endless, but to name a few, less washing, easy styling, and countless hairstyle options are at the top of the list. If you decide you are tired of any one particular style, each of these looks, minus certain hair colors, are attainable at almost every single salon visit. When in doubt, ask your stylist which of these hairstyles is best for your facial features, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to take risks and get creative. Medium-length haircuts make the creative process possible and enjoyable! Now that you’ve gone through these gorgeous looks, don’t forget to also take a look at the prettiest curly pixie cut ideas!
